ACOG Statement on Senate Passage of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act

April 15, 2015

Washington, DC — John C. Jennings, MD, President of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), today released the following statement:

“The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, representing more than 58,000 physicians and partners in women's health, applauds the Senate for today’s passage of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act.

“The repeal of the Medicare sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula represents a significant step forward for our health care system. The SGR formula contributed to unpredictability in the health care system, leaving ob-gyns and other physicians, including those who run and manage their own practices, to face uncertainty each year.

“Importantly, a stable and predictable payment system will allow physicians to focus on caring for their patients. This is good news for America’s women and patients across the country, as this system will be applied not only to Medicare, but also to TRICARE – the insurance for our Nation's military and dependents – and serve as a model for private insurers.

“Moreover, by reauthorizing funding for the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), the bill will help to maintain and protect the access of millions of children and families – including millions of adolescent girls and hundreds of thousands of pregnant women – to the care that they need. CHIP has made a difference in countless lives, and it is essential that it continue to do so.

“It is time for a health care system in America that is focused on delivery of quality care, rather than quantity of care. By strengthening the ability of providers to focus on prevention, this bill will help to ensure that more Americans are able to stay healthy, avoiding serious illnesses and their related costs.

“We thank Majority Leader McConnell, Minority Leader Reid, Finance Chairman Hatch and Finance Ranking Member Wyden for their leadership on this important bill, as well as all House and Senate Members who voted for it. In addition, we thank President Obama for pledging to sign the bill into law as soon as possible.”

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (The College), a 501(c)(3) organization, is the nation’s leading group of physicians providing health care for women. As a private, voluntary, nonprofit membership organization of more than 58,000 members, The College strongly advocates for quality health care for women, maintains the highest standards of clinical practice and continuing education of its members, promotes patient education, and increases awareness among its members and the public of the changing issues facing women’s health care. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), a 501(c)(6) organization, is its companion organization. www.acog.org